By Donna Durr
In 1996, our church opened a preschool to provide quality, affordable Christian childcare to the families in our area. We went through the ACSI approval program and had no government interaction for the first seven years that we were in business. After seven years, we began to accept parents who had vouchers through CDS (Child Development Services), and we soon made the decision to become a contracted center in order to help the parents who otherwise would not be able to afford our services. Our experience with Citrus County’s CDS has been very positive.
When Florida voted to institute a preschool program originally called UPK (universal pre-kindergarten) and now called VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten), we were not sure that we wanted to be involved with a government-based program. Our primary fear was and still is that somewhere in this process the government would dictate what we could and could not teach. Up to this point, we have not experienced any censorship of age-appropriate religious practices or materials.
Our Early Learning Coalition is concerned that the centers offering VPK use age-appropriate curriculum and that they keep the appropriate records to show that the money requested is in line with the children’s attendance. The people who have come out to observe us have been extremely supportive and helpful. Faith-based centers are needed to serve Christian families in this area.
Through our Early Learning Coalition, we have received minigrants several times, as the legislature has made more funds available for VPK. The equipment and materials that they have bought have made a huge difference in what we can offer children in this community. There is money available for teachers to pay for additional training. There is also a program that gives stipends to teachers who stay in the same center. The application process was simple, and it was open to any center with a contract for VPK classrooms.
Because of the VPK program in Florida, there are many more accredited centers available at no charge to our families. Both the childcare industry and the parents have benefited from VPK. Most of all, Florida’s children have been given a head start that many of them would not have without VPK.
The VPK program has also been a wonderful outreach for our church. Because the parents do not have to pay for this program, it has brought families into our influence who would not have been able to come otherwise. We have seen several of these families come into the life of the church. One such family was grandparents who found themselves suddenly with custody of their two young granddaughters. These little girls came to our preschool and after-care program, and soon they became involved in AWANAs (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, a program for learning Bible verses and precepts) and Sunday school. The grandpa was saved, and he joined our church. Several weeks later, the grandma, mom, and older sister all came forward and accepted Christ. They were all baptized on the same Sunday. We know that over time more families will be pulled into the life of our church.
Most of all, Florida’s children
have been given a head start
that many of them would
not have without VPK.
I believe that Florida can be an example to other states of how free choice can benefit everyone. I ask you to pray that bureaucracy will not build up and choke the progress that has been made in early education in Florida.
I am proud and blessed to be a part of a Christian VPK preschool, and I pray that we will continue to be a part of this program for many years to come.
This article is reprinted from CEE magazine, vol. 8, issue 1, page 9.
Florida's VPK 08 01